Trucker & passenger in serious condition after plunge off I-77 in W. Va

A truck driver and their passenger are in serious condition after driving off the side of Interstate 77 in Charleston on Wednesday morning. 

The accident happened on Wednesday, August 19th just before 6 a.m. on the Leon Sullivan exit along I-77 in downtown Charleston, West Virginia. 

According to the Charleston Gazette-Mail, the tractor trailer tore down power lines and was severely damaged as it fell off of the elevated interstate. The vehicle came to a rest in the 600 block of Summers Street in a lot used by the West Virginia Department of Transportation. The truck driver and their passenger were seriously injured in the accident. Both were transported to a hospital in serious condition. 

Approximately 250 buildings or residences were without power as a result of the crash, and fuel was spilled in the wreck. The truck was hauling metal items, which were spilled in the incident. 

Eastbound traffic from I-64 is being diverted to I-79 north, and Southbound traffic from I-77 is being diverted toward I-64 west as of about 7 a.m. CST.